Not From Fear…

There are many factors that go into the making of men; and fear and love are foremost among them. There is a question as to just how much fear can do in the making of a man. Fear of want may

make him work, but it is doubtful that fear alone will ever make a man amount to very much. And it is doubtful if you can frighten a man into being good – basically, inwardly, willingly good – any more than you can legislate a man into being good. The law is always there. The actual or potential punishments

and penalties are always in evidence, but men still engage in all manner of lawlessness despite the fear

of penalties and punishments. A child who is afraid of his parents may try to please or placate them, but he doesn’t develop into the man he might be simply from being afraid. Fear may prevent some things, many things. And it may be the reason for some kinds of accomplishments. But to be at his best, to do

his best, to develop his best, a man must be running after something rather than merely running away

from something. He must have the incentive to succeed – and not merely the fear of failure. Thus the positive approach to teaching is the one most richly rewarding, with encouragement, love, incentive and assurance. Life is an opportunity. It is limitless and everlasting, and happiness is the end and object of it all – and to hold out to a man the assurance of eternal life, of everlasting association with those he

loves, of limitless progress and possibilities, with peace and a quiet conscience – all these offer so much more to work for than simply the fear of failing. We should live good lives, not from the fear of what will happen if we don’t, but for the joy of what will happen as we do – because keeping the commandments gives peace, happiness, good appetite, good conscience, and a wonderful assurance. We should be what we should be and go where we should go and do what we should do, not from fear, but for happiness

and peace and progress.